The Insider’s Guide to Usera: Madrid’s Cultural Melting Pot

Welcome to the second instalment of my three-part series about Usera! In the first episode, I introduced the fascinating history of Usera and touched on some gentrification challenges. Today, we’re diving into what you can actually DO in the neighbourhood. As a resident of the area, I’m thrilled to share this lesser-known side of Madrid that’s incredibly close to my heart.

Historical Neighbourhood Gems

If you arrive at Usera Metro, your adventure can begin right away. The Colonia de Moscardó (formerly Colonia de Salud y Ahorro) is one of the first housing estates built by the Republican government in the early 20th century to house Madrid’s poorer residents. This marked the beginning of Madrid’s expansion, and the colourful old buildings are truly a sight to behold.

Don’t miss the Ruta de Relojes tour, where a marvellous guide takes you around the sundials (“relojes”) that were installed in the 1980s. These beautifully designed, though mostly ornamental artworks, have become something of a local attraction! The tour is in Spanish, but if you don’t speak the language, you can still wander around and admire these artistic timepieces. (Check out my Instagram account for photos and details about the designer if you’re curious!)

Traditional Markets with Local Flavor

Right inside Usera Metro station, you’ll find a beautiful indoor market that gives you a taste of traditional Spanish shopping culture. Unlike the trendy food halls in central Madrid (like Mercado de Antón Martín or Mercado de San Fernando), Usera’s markets maintain their authentic character with traditional greengrocers, fishmongers, and butchers. This is where real madrileños shop—myself included!

A local secret is the Orcasur market on Saturday morning market in Orcasitas. It’s a huge outdoor market with everything from fruit and vegetables to electronics and second-hand clothes. I’m a massive bargain hunter, and the frock I wore for the podcast? Picked it up there for about €2! You need to enjoy rummaging, but for bargain fans, it’s spectacular.

Chinese Cultural Immersion

Usera has a huge Chinese community, and their supermarkets are absolutely fabulous. Check out the one by Metro Usera that’s chock-a-block with goods, or my favourite on Dolores Barranco called Wenzhou Supermarket. They don’t just stock Chinese ingredients but Thai and Japanese products too. The inventory is constantly changing, which can be frustrating but also exciting—you never know what new treasures you’ll discover!

The area is essentially Madrid’s largest Chinatown, with Chinese clothes shops, calligraphy stores, and increasingly, stylish coffee shops run by the younger Chinese generation. Interestingly, many Chinese residents have developed a taste for Spanish specialities, so you’ll find Chinese-run shops selling rioja, jamón, and other Spanish delicacies.

Emerging Art Scene

The growing artistic community in Usera is gradually bringing galleries to the neighborhood:

• Okuda’s Gallery (officially called “Factory of Dreams“) is the most high-profile, though it’s not always open, so check before visiting. Okuda is one of Spain’s most famous street artists and a huge celebrity—I actually spotted him last time I was there!
• Ukiyo-e Gallery just opened in Orcasitas, featuring Japanese woodblock prints. As someone who lived in Japan for six years, I was surprised and delighted to see this cultural treasure pop up in Usera.
• Habitación Número 34 (Room Number 34) is an old shop space that hosts art installations, sometimes with the artists themselves sometimes performing as part of the exhibit. It’s a wonderfully weird experience to peek in as you walk past.
• Espacio Oculto is a co-working artist studio that contributes greatly to the community. While not always open to the public, they’re worth following on Instagram for their events.
• Marca Blanca, an art space and bookshop run by a lovely woman named Blanca, hosts literary events. It’s a welcoming space, though you’ll need to speak Spanish to fully participate.

Gorgeous Green Spaces

We’re blessed with some lovely parks in Usera:

• Pradolongo Park near my house features a lake and is a community hub. In the mornings, you’ll see members of the Chinese community practising Tai Chi, and lively middle-aged ladies rehearsing their dances for Chinese New Year. On weekends, the South American community often gathers to dance—it’s a vibrant, multicultural space.
• Parque Lineal Manzanares in “Posh Usera” (the area closest to the river with newer gated communities) is my absolute favorite. In summer, its amphitheater hosts outdoor cinema screenings as part of Madrid’s Veranos de la Villa festival. I’ve seen everything from Madame Butterfly to Korean horror films here! The park also features hills with wonderful views of Madrid and beautiful modern sculptures.
• The park runs alongside the Manzanares River with a fantastic long cycle path. As an avid cyclist, this is my happy place—I can ride for 30-45 minutes along the river into the countryside, spotting rabbits in the fields! In the opposite direction, the path connects to Casa de Campo and even extends all the way to El Pardo (one of the former royal palaces later inhabited by Franco).

Sporting Facilities

One of Usera’s greatest advantages is our abundance of outdoor swimming pools—we have THREE while other neighbourhoods struggle to have even one! There’s a pool by Usera Metro, another in Orcasitas (my favourite, though it’s being renovated), and a third in San Fermín. All are easily accessible, making Usera “la bomba” (the bee’s knees) for summer swimming!

Near my favourite pool, you’ll also find tennis courts. While the area could use more sports centres generally, for outdoor summer swimming, Usera can’t be beat—click on this link for more about summertime in Madrid in general.

Major Events and Festivals

Time your visit to coincide with one of Usera’s fantastic festivals:

• Chinese New Year brings huge crowds to the area to watch the main parade.
• Madrid Open tennis tournament at Caja Mágica in May
• Tomavistas Festival and other music events at Caja Mágica
• Open House Day at the end of May lets you peek inside artists’ studios
• Veranos de la Villa brings outdoor cinema and concerts to the neighbourhood’s plazas in summeeyes Magos (Three Kings) parade before Epiphany includes floats, fireworks, and candy-throwing

In Conclusion

Usera might not be on the typical tourist trail, but its vibrant multicultural atmosphere, emerging art scene, beautiful parks, and authentic local experiences make it a fascinating Madrid neighbourhood to explore. Whether you’re cycling along the Manzanares, hunting for bargains at Orcasitas market, or immersing yourself in the local Chinese culture, Usera offers a side of Madrid that most visitors never see.

If you’ve enjoyed this guide to things to do in Usera, stay tuned for the third instalment focusing on food! And if you’d like to support my work, consider checking out my book “Quiet Madrid” about hidden, tranquil spaces in the city, or buying one of my audio tours.